About us

When brilliant science gets trapped by communication barriers, innovation fails and frontline users miss out on the capabilities they need.

We're here to help you solve those communication challenges.

Navy ship.

We speak both languages. Yours and theirs

What makes us different? We have technical experts in our team who work directly with highly experienced communications professionals.

We rapidly understand both your complex innovations and the cognitive barriers that prevent adoption. No lengthy learning curves. No oversimplification that loses the essence. We get what you do quickly, so we can crack on with making sure other people get it too.

A tank camouflaged in a forest.

Your specialist guides

Looking for a generalist? We're not right for you. We're specialists - and that's exactly why our clients choose us.

We know the ecosystem inside and out. The MOD landscape. The procurement challenges. The operational requirements. We can identify and analyse your audiences quickly and accurately, ensuring your communications create real influence where it matters most.

We've successfully guided organisations across the entire spectrum - from Dstl and major primes to innovative SMEs.

Your complete solution

We're not just consultants who disappear after giving advice. We're your full-service partners, with you throughout the entire journey from breakthrough to frontline.

Whether you need strategic guidance, hands-on execution or a key extension of your team, we adapt to what you need. Because real transformation requires sustained support, not just good intentions.

Canny Comms filming at an event.
Two Canny Comms team members working.

What makes us the perfect guide?

  • We understand your world. We're passionate about innovation and supporting the people who serve. Many of our team have walked the same paths you're walking now.
  • We're relentlessly creative. We constantly seek better ways to bridge the communication gaps that slow innovation. Standard approaches rarely work for extraordinary science.
  • We're endlessly curious. We challenge assumptions, ask difficult questions and never stop learning. Because breakthrough innovation requires breakthrough thinking.
  • We're proven performers. Our track record speaks for itself - from helping startups achieve global recognition to supporting major programmes gain stakeholder confidence.

Sound like the guides you need for your innovation journey?

Here’s what our clients think

Canny Comms supported the graphic design elements for the Callen-Lenz exhibition stand at Farnborough International Airshow.

 The completed look was eye-catching and aligned well to our brand image. Lindsay is always a pleasure to work with and the consultancy she has provided to our BD team is excellent

Hayley Waterton

Marketing Manager, Callen-Lenz

Together, they helped us to create a professional image, articulate our business offering, raise awareness of AMD in the defence sector and establish a number of promising collaboration opportunities. 

…[it’s]… highlighted the significant expertise of each of the Canny Comms individuals. That considerable expertise combined, enables us to confidently pursue our business goals.

Richard Lee

COO of AMD

Canny determinedly pursued a vast number of media leads, pitching to publications that aligned with Sibylline’s business objectives. 

“Through the exhaustive efforts of Canny, our team of expert analysts received excellent coverage in outlets including Forbes, Wired, Barron’s and The Sunday Times.

Millie Martin

Head of Marketing and Communications, Sibylline

Writing effective social media copy requires an understanding of our business, our values and the audience.

Canny Comms brought that understanding and were immediately able to work alongside us, adapting content, both technical and specialist, into engaging social media content.

I felt confident that our social media was in safe hands, assisting us in a time of limited internal resources, which meant that we could focus on other business activities.

Claire Savage

Head of Marketing and Communications, Chemring Group plc

Lindsay was responsive, knowledgeable, reassuring and delivered exactly what we needed within incredibly tight timescales.

She communicated at all points and I was never in any doubt as to where we were in the project. 

The fact that our Exec team made virtually no changes to our copy or our case studies is a testament to Lindsay and her team's understanding of our company and the defence sector.

Corrina Gee

Head of Marketing and Communications, CDS Defence & Security

Canny found an innovative way to communicate the vast benefits of our world-class devices within the limitations we had. With their solution, we were able to travel to the other side of the world and present as easily as if we had our devices physically with us!

William Gimson

William Gimson, Strategy, Business Development and Sales Director

Working with Canny Comms has been an invaluable experience for Callen-Lenz. Their expertise in crafting Lines to Take documents and delivering comprehensive Media Training has significantly enhanced our communication strategy.

Canny demonstrated a deep understanding of our industry and their attention to detail and commitment to capturing our brand voice ensured that the documents were both authentic and impactful.

Gurveen Hothi

Marketing Manager, Callen-Lenz

The media training provided by Canny Comms was exceptional. Their team of seasoned professionals equipped our spokespeople with the skills and confidence needed to navigate various media scenarios effectively. From message delivery to handling challenging questions, the training was comprehensive and highly worthwhile.

Canny exceeded our expectations with their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to our success. We highly recommend their services to any organisation seeking top-tier media PR support.

Gurveen Hothi

Marketing Manager, Callen-Lenz

Military community personel receiving awards.

Why we do what we do

The Canny team is purpose-driven. We're compelled to ensure the people who protect and serve our country have access to the best possible innovations.

As a specialist SME, we combine the agility and innovation focus that defence strategy champions with deep sector expertise and proven results. We're keen supporters of the military community, actively employing veterans, reservists, and military spouses.

We've earned the silver-level award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme and provide pro-bono support to military charity Heropreneurs, helping veterans and military spouses become entrepreneurs.

This unique combination of agility, expertise and military connection is why organisations trust us to guide their most critical innovation journeys.

The team

Lindsay Compton

Lindsay Compton

Founder, CEO and senior communications consultant

Helena Holden

Helena Holden

Operations director

Les Gregory.

Les Gregory

Industry advisor

Fred Harbottle

Fred Harbottle

Military advisor

Mark Hawkins

Mark Hawkins

Innovation and technology consultant

Annabel Mead

Annabel Mead

Communications and marketing consultant

Natalie Roberts

Natalie Roberts

Pod lead

Piers Taylor

Piers Taylor

Senior communications consultant

Patrick Morgan

Patrick Morgan

Account manager

Peter Thompson

Peter Thompson

Graphic designer

Sophie Croft

Sophie Croft

Graphic designer

Rory Sparks

Rory Sparks

CGI animation and 3D design

Clare Partridge

Clare Partridge

Delivery excellence manager

Suzie Stanier

Suzie Stanier

Business administrator

Photo of Annabelle Davies

Annabelle Davies

Associate

Jessica Brown.

Jessica Brown

Proofreader and copy editor

Corvus Lelean

Corvus LeLean

Junior associate